2 Naia security screening officers probed for alleged ‘kotong’

Two security screening officers of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) were temporarily relieved of their posts amid a pending investigation for supposedly being involved in a “kotong” (Filipino slang for extortion) incident last Sept. 18.

A Los Angeles-bound Filipino woman on Saturday took to social media to express her dismay over a male and a female Naia personnel at the airport’s Terminal 2 who allegedly found bullets in one of her three bags.

“My bags were X-rayed as per procedure. Pero paglabas ng gamit ko galing sa X-ray eh bigla akong tinawag ng Naia staff! Isip-isip ko eh wala naman akong dalang kahit ano, pagkain lamang! Lumapit agad ang isa at binulungan ako na baka raw may dala akong anting-anting o agimat o kung ano man na baon ko sa bagahe. Diyos ko po, wala akong alam dun!” Rhed Austria de Guzman said.

(After my luggage came out from the x-ray scanner, I was suddenly called by Naia staff. I was thinking to myself that I wasn’t carrying anything out of the ordinary, just food. One of them came to me and whispered, asking if I had any charms or amulet in my baggage. I don’t know anything about those!)

De Guzman went on by saying that the male officer suspiciously inserted his hand in the pocket of her bag, and showed two bullets when he withdrew it.

“Pinasok ng lalaking staff ang kanyang kamay sa bulsa ng bagahe ko habang nakatalikod sa ‘kin. Pagharap niya eh nakasara ang kanyang kamay at patago na binuksan ang kanyang kamay! Paglabas – aba’y may hawak na bala! Dalawang bala ang nilabas niya. Wala nang tingga ang isa at ‘yung isa eh buo pa,” De Guzman said.

(While his back was turned, he put his hand inside the pocket of my baggage. His hand was closed when he faced me, and he secretly opened his hand. When he withdrew his hand, he was already holding 2 bullets. One of them didn’t have a bullet cap and the other was still intact.)

“Without any other question towards me, they asked for my passport and greencard. They threatened that they will be putting this on my record and will reflect on all my future travels,” she added.

Maintaining that the bullets were not hers, De Guzman said she requested the female officer for a review of the incident.

“Sinabi ko na baka pwedeng i-recheck kasi hindi talaga sa’kin ‘yung mga bala. Baka kako naman pwedeng may iba pang paraan para hindi ako magka-record kasi hindi talaga sa akin ‘yun,” she said.

(I asked if they could recheck because those bullets really aren’t mine; maybe there’s another way for me not to get a record because those aren’t mine.)

De Guzman said the porter who assisted her whispered to her and advised her to solve the problem by bribing the security screening officers.

“Bumulong ‘yung porter sa tabi ko. Sabi niya, ‘Ate ayusin mo na lang. Pwede na ‘yan sa P500.’ Sabi ko sa babae e, ‘Baka pwedeng tulungan mo ako.’ Sagot naman niya, ‘O sige po, iabot mo na lang sa’kin patago. Baka mahuli ako ng supervisor,” she said.

(The porter whispered, “Ma’am I’ll fix this for P500.” I said, “Please help me.” She replied, “Okay, just hand it to me privately. My supervisor might catch me.”)

The passenger said she agreed to shell out money because of fears that her record will be tarnished and that she might not be able to go back to the United States.

“Sa pangalawang pagkakataon eh binody-check ako at dun ko inabot ang 500 pesos sa kanila. Pati ‘yung porter na bumulong eh binigyan ko ng 200 pesos. Ayun, pinayagan na akong umalis! Ay nako! Para sa 500 pesos eh maninira sila ng ng pangalan ng tao!” De Guzman added.

(They checked me for the second time and I gave the P500 to them. I also gave P200 to the porter. After that, they let me go. For P500, they were ready tarnish someone’s name!)

‘Unacceptable behavior’

Condemning the incident, Jonathan Maliwat, spokesperson of the Department of Transportation and Communications’ Office for Transport Security (DOTC-OTS), told INQUIRER.net that the involved security scanning officers were already being probed.

While there was no official complaint on the incident yet, Maliwat said his office monitored the incident through social media.

“We highly appreciate the vigilance of the passenger in reporting such a corrupt act. The said personnel are now relieved, pending result of investigation. OTS will not tolerate such unacceptable behavior and act, we will do our best to uncover the truth, this is our stand and put the offenders where they should belong,” Maliwat said in a text message.

The spokesperson said names of the Naia personnel will be released as soon as the investigation is completed. Yuji Vincent Gonzales/JE